Let My Leaders Go - Pt 1

In the statement “Let My people go,” there is the implication that “my people” are being controlled by someone else.  As it were, His people were enslaved to a system of making bricks to build someone else’s kingdom.  That system had so consumed them that the people had put off real worship of God.  And every time they made an attempt to approach God, the system increased their workload.  (Sound familiar?)  God was tired of His people making bricks for Pharaoh and Him being relegated to an ignoble place in their lives. 

But before God could free His people, He had to free His leader, Moses. 

The first time Moses grasped at the leadership ring, someone died.  Actually, he was responsible for murdering them.  There is no doubt that Moses had a leadership gift, and he eventually became an archetype of leadership, but that gift had to be developed and tempered. 

In Moses’ first attempt at leadership, he went before he was sent.  It resulted in someone getting killed.  When I reflect on the beginning period of my leadership, I must confess (with sincere regret), I left a few dead bodies in my wake.  Moses and I shared the same problem some of you leaders contend with: “plenty of zeal for God, but not enough knowledge.” (Rom 10:2) 

I’m not saying you don’t know anything.  I am saying you don’t know some ‘God things’ because He hasn’t revealed them to you; and He won’t reveal them to you until He has prepared you for your leadership assignment.

Your gifting is critical, but it is not enough.  Your anointing is necessary, but it is not enough.  Case in point: David was anointed to be king of Israel while he was still a shepherd.  Even though God ordained his anointing, young David wasn’t ready for the throne.  He had some things to learn and some growing to do.  And because David took things in the right order, when he killed someone, it was someone who was supposed to die, not a death due to his leadership recklessness.  There was no regret after his kill (Goliath), only rejoicing.

Our leadership is supposed to produce life, not death.  It is wonderful when ideas and vision set us on fire and ignite zeal, but we must remember that we are stewards of vision and ideas, and we are leaders of people.  Not just any people; “His people.”